444
At me
tivne
a Chinese policeman daily was sold off for special duty at the Museum from 10 to 1; his services have for sometime past been withdrawn by the local Government and the Committee are wholly dependent upon their staff to prevent theft, damage, and disturbance.
To conclude, the Committee would remind your Lordship that the present rules were agreed to, as already pointed out, by a large majority and after very full discussion at the special meeting held in compliance with the Governor's suggestion in December 1879, at which meeting the Bishop and Chief Justice were present; that the Chinese were consulted when the present rules were drawn up in 1845; that both the Chinese and Europeans contented with them until the present Governor requested their alteration; that the regulations at present in force enable Chinamen, Chinese women, and Europeans each respectively to visit the Museum free of charge in their own hours and without fear of interruption or annoyance; and that any person of respectable appearance, of whatever nationality, can visit at all times, except when Chinese women are in the Museum, by making special application at the door.
The visitors to the Museum have hitherto been remarkable for the orderly conduct displayed since the Building was opened; but the Committee intend no disrespect to any class of the population.
They state it as their opinion that in a garrison town and seaport such as this, there occasionally arise dangers of disturbance when Asiatics and Europeans are admitted together in the crowded institution, which does not possess a staff of officials competent in such case to preserve order.
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordship's
Most obedient Servant,
W. W. Read
Chairman